Good morning,
Ukraine-Russia
Tensions are rising along the Ukraine-Russia border where President Putin has moved some 25,000 forces into the illegally annexed Crimea, and built up more forces along the Ukrainian Eastern border. Russia pretends to be a neutral body in a conflict with Ukrainian Russia rebels in the Donbas region, but Western observers say Russia initiated the war in 2014, and supplies arms and military command and control to the simmering conflict which has claimed some 14,000 lives.
The situation may have been aggravated recently by moves by Ukrainian President Zelenskiy to increase pressure on Russia’s interests in Ukraine and by announcing Ukraine seeks to join NATO as the earliest moment.
This is a good write through by Moscow’s Carnegie centre on why Russia is moving troops now and whether intends to invade Ukraine, with regular forces.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/06/are-russia-and-ukraine-sliding-into-war-a73480
On Back Story with Dana Lewis podcast we interview the former U.S. Lt. General Ben Hodges who commanded U.S. troops in Europe and two more experts on whats really happening in Ukraine and whats at stake. Share this link!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/8280542
Also on Back Story, James Sherr is a military expert and says Russian intentions are to test the Biden administration but Putin's intentions remain murky, although a growing conflict is possible.
And Paul Niland who runs Lifeline Ukraine, a mental health service for Ukrainian soldiers, says Putin is frightened a Ukrainian 'EuroMaidan' type revolution could come to Russia.
The fact is Russia holds most of the cards, with a vastly superior military and the ability to strike deep into Ukraine and destabilize the current Government. Russia will not accept Ukraine joining NATO, and a wider conflict against nations that support Ukraine including the U.S. is on the table. The Biden administrations growing test in Europe and against a Putin Presidency that seeks to destabilize western interests whenever possible.
Corporations and Politics
Republicans are now saying American Corporations shouldn’t have a place in political debate, specifically Georgia’s new voting laws which appear to restrict black voters from gaining access to ballot boxes.
Delta, CocaCola and others have voiced opposition to Georgia’s backward laws, and now Republican leader Mitch McConnell appeared to threaten those companies saying “corporations will invite serious consequences” for publicly opposing Georgia’s new voter law.
Major League Baseball pulled it’s all star game out of Georgia over the voting laws which McConnell called “stupid”.
Here’s the bottom line - The Republicans and Democrats beg big companies for political donations, which is in effect a voice in politics, but if those same corporations decide to oppose political policy they are being told to bud out and stay quiet. Can’t have it both ways.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/its-stupid-mcconnells-warning-to-corporations-opposing-georgia-voting-law/ar-BB1fmJ7Y?ocid=uxbndlbing
Vaccine Passports
Vaccine passports are emerging in the U.S.and around the World as a way out of the pandemic in crowded places. The legality is seemingly sound, despite many saying vaccinations should not be forced and it’s illiberal to demand vaccines in democratic societies.
In the UK there is huge debate over the Prime Ministers suggestion vaccine passports are to be experimented with in concert halls and sports venues. They will most certainly be used in International travel say experts, but will that replace pre flight testing as a priority?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56645208
Alexei Navalny
The Russian opposition leader who was poisoned in August and returned to Russia to fight for democracy and was jailed, is now in a deteriorating situation in prison which may threaten his life. He is in a week long hunger strike for being refused medical aid for back pain, and now a temperature and lung infection. He was moved into the prison hospital, while several of his supporters outside the prisons were arrested by police.
https://news.sky.com/story/alexei-navalny-russian-authorities-play-cat-and-mouse-game-with-jailed-kremlin-critic-and-his-team-12267754
Astra Zeneca
More questions on suspect blood clots in the vaccinations using Astra Zeneca, as a study giving the vaccine to children has now been officially halted. Oxford suspended the trial saying in a statement that there were "no safety concerns" in the trial, but acknowledged fears over a potential link to clots by saying that it was awaiting additional data from Britain's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before restarting the study.
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210406-astrazeneca-vaccine-trial-in-children-halted-as-blood-clot-link-investigated
That’s a quick wrap today on some of the stories driving the news today. Please - this letter is free, but we ask you share it. Have a great day!
Dana